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Thinking of working a season?

I probably mentioned a fair bit of this last year sometime, but I just want to retread old ground. I’m sure a lot of people think of doing a season in the Alps or somewhere, working to earn their keep so that they can get out on the slopes. I’ve no idea of the figures but I reckon we turn down two or three people for every one we hire.

This means you have to be good to get through the interview process. But it doesn’t end there as you then have training and a lot ofp eoplke don’t seem to realise (despite being told) that this is a continuation of the interview. Mess up, fail parts, act irresponsibly and you can find yourself on the next flight home… on your own dime.

Yup, drop out of training or leave before the season is over and – under your terms of contract – you’ll have to make your own way home. If you’ve been out long enough to earn any money, you may be lucky enough to have your flight booked for you, and then have it taken off your paycheque.

Simple fact is, working a season is a lot of work and people don’t seem to realise that. You’re on duty for quite a few hours and you simply cannot be tardy or unprofessional. If you are – especially during training or in the early stages when it’s easy to replace you – you can expect to be going home.

Both last year and this year we’ve sent people home from training. Often it’s almost a matter of course – pick the worst offender and make an example of them. It proves we’re serious and other staff behaviour does indeed improve very quickly once word gets around.

If you don’t want to be the victim who proves the point, don’t give us (or whoever you work for) the chance. Be professional. Work hard. Wake up on time. Don’t – as one muppet did the other day – stagger drunk, vomit-covered and with blood dripping down your head into the wrong room and try to clamber into bed with a girl you don’t know at 6am. Despite being rather impolite, if you’re in this state at 6am, the chances of you making lectures at 8am are rather slim.

I can’t say for certain but I do think such expulsions will be common across all the companies. There are far more many people wanting to work than there are places available. So don’t push your luck. If you’re into the lifestyle, don’t mind working hard and enjoy your snow sports then working a season is fantastic. But you simply can’t get away with being lax.